>> After being extended multiple times, the deadline for meeting a real ID to travel domestically seems to be really approaching this time.

Some parts of the country like South Florida have actually seen people camping out overnight in DMV parking lot to ensure they get an appointment for Real ID.

Nothing like that has happened in Illinois.

A surging demand has led to longer lines at the DMV, but not everyone needs a real ID.

So here are the reality check on the Real ID rollout and more is Alexa, Julius Illinois, secretary of State.

Welcome.

Good to have in the second.

Thanks for having me.

Of real ID requirements set to take effect, as we've heard you say on May, 7th.

Explain for us what the real ID is, who needs it and how it differs from the standard state driver's license or state ID.

the real ID is a federally mandated.

>> Identification process.

It is not the secretary of state's office.

It's not from the state of Illinois.

That being said we're we're tasked with dealing with it.

What we've seen and this is passed after 9.11, to try and created uniform system of identification.

Is that over the last couple months, there has been unprecedented demand.

You mention what's happening in Florida and other states people are sleeping in their cars there, sleeping in tents outside of NBA's all of us.

And because of this deadline, which has been kick continuously, unfortunately, we're seeing demand the likes of which we've never seen.

Appointments are being gobbled up lines that are walking facilities are are exploding.

So we've been really focused helping meet this demand.

To the extent we can.

opened up Saturday hours.

We've opened up an extra 2 and a half 1000 appointments a day.

We continue to let people know through our portal.

The most likely folks do not need a real ID.

If you have a passport, you can still travel.

The other point that we're that we're trying to make is even after May 7, we will continue to issue real ID's.

So we're not, you know, ceasing operations on May 7.

This will happen all summer.

It will happen essentially forever.

So if you go to our website, we're really trying hard to educate people and who needs real ID what it does and the fact that there's a strong chance you don't need it.

Strong chance you don't need it.

If you have a passport, of course, if you have a driver's license and you just plan on driving home and one your passport, then you don't the other issues.

Are the other issue that we're which is?

>> you know, talking other states.

Because of the new administration, Washington, D.C., we've seen a tremendous uptick and folks who are worried that if they don't have a real ID, they do not have a proper form identification.

They're worried that falsely that they'll be deported, that they will be sent away, that they'll have issues identifying themselves.

We also have folks who think that their driver's license is no longer valid.

If they don't have a real ID.

So that is not the case.

If you have a valid driver's license, you can drive a vehicle if you have a valid state ID that is proper identification.

So a lot of our job is is we're spending a lot of time making sure that educate folks on exactly what the real ID does and doesn't do.

And we know that the real ID deadline, it has been extended, moved, pushed back multiple times.

But you know that this one is it's a hard deadline.

It's not moving well, you know, anything can change, but could be a hard deadline.

They're saying it is.

I also think that, >> you know, they're not going force this right away from what we're being told by Homeland Security and TSA.

This will probably be essentially a two-year inforcement period.

In other words, if you go on May 8th and you don't have a real ID and you don't have a passport with you, it's highly unlikely.

We're being told by the federal government, but they will actually kick you off the plane or not allow you to most likely you'll get a warning because the percentage of folks who have a real ID are so.

A small it would be shocking if day.

>> Did a lot of folks on planes.

>> You've named a few steps that your office has taken to make sure that residents in Illinois can have a smooth transition extending hours and adding appointments.

But so folks know this is not something that you can do online.

There are many things that we can do at your Web site.

But this is not one of great since taking office.

We've been laser focused on customer service.

>> On modernizing the office.

However, because this is a federally mandated identification system, we are not able to do it online.

the requirements and documents that that people need to bring in our also elevated because it's a federal program.

So.

We're really encouraging folks to go to our website to make sure they have the proper documentation.

It was a plus.

We do it online a lot of our a lot of our programs.

A lot of our.

Mandates online.

I'm proud of the modernization efforts we've had, unfortunately, again, because this is a a federal mandate.

We don't have the ability to do that.

Something that you are working on making digital, though, is that making it possible that some Illinois residents will be able to have digital ID's by the end of the year?

Tell us about that, which ones and how is that possible?

Well, this is the part that I'm excited about.

You know, again, back to the modernization point.

We've been laser focused.

>> And bring more innovative ideas to the secretary of state's office.

There's like these digital driver's license which already happening in other states.

Our goal is to get them before the end of the year.

The technology is really incredible.

And let's be honest.

The whole world, the whole world is moving that way.

If you go to a bowl-game your tickets on your phone.

If you go to the movies, your tickets normally on your phone.

And so we're moving towards a technology.

I'm excited about it.

We have a signed contract with Apple to include driver's license on Apple Wallet.

So the technology is great and really excited about this.

And I'm guessing this means have to blend these 2 questions that can't get a real ID.

That would not be digital.

What it not?

Yes, no, yes.

Okay.

>> It sounds convenient.

Of But there's obviously the concern about cyber crimes, online scams.

How would office ensure that Illinois residents who have a digital ID are protected?

great question.

cyber security data protection are paramount to every single thing we do.

The safeguards that employee that are in place are actually very impressive.

And I would tell you that it's safer to have something on your phone less likely to get pickpocket have someone steal your I D the technology is really remarkable in the states that have implemented.

Mobile driver's license.

There's been a essentially 0 instance of cyber crimes are any any hacking of the A lot of viewers may not know that.

You're also the state's chief librarian and you spearheaded a first of its kind law that would penalize libraries that ban to remove material for political reasons.

>> All that was signed into law for some 2023.

A couple dozen school district libraries have actually opted out of receiving state grants.

What do you make of that?

>> It's upsetting.

I will tell you that I take my job as a state librarian.

Very, very serious.

the honor of my life to be the state Library.

And I've always believed in the freedom of speech, the freedom to learn and what's happening in our country with this dangerous attack, the freedom to learn.

And these book bans that were seeing were, you know, few extremists can determine what and tires library district.

can read is is baffling to me.

I'm very proud that we love the effort to be the first state in America to ban book bans will continue to fight for libraries, library staff, our librarians.

I'm proud of our bill.

I'm proud of our libraries and we need to let libraries do their job.

And again, the entire purpose of education is to teach.

Young men and women how to learn for themselves.

And our bill, we feels very strong step in that direction.

Kill as you go without asking 8 year-old Senator Durbin has yet to confirm whether or not he is going to run again for his seat in 2026.

>> There's speculation.

Speculation abounds about Governor Pritzker potentially running for President.

Chicago's mayor is grappling with record low approval ratings.

Any of those other positions I know this is the honor of your lifetime.

As you've said that any of those positions pique your interest I truly truly love my job being secretary of state's great.

>> We know we've we've modernized the office as the State Library and we've done more.

department.

>> We also for securities division.

So we will relentlessly driven on making this the best secretary of state's office in the country.

I'm a big believer in administrative competency, data-driven decisions.

measure our call times by the seconds we look our appointment only system which we implemented.

We had a bill make sure that women who come into abortion.

I'm good tracked by ICE.

We got rid the TV deal marker so we've been able to to to create an efficient office and modernize it but also have an aggressive legislative agenda, some proud of the work we've done and I remain focused